BulldogBelle
15-06-2009, 11:42 PM
A month away...
Waiting game on Rodney Eade deal at Western Bulldogs (http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/0,26576,25642123-19742,00.html)
The Herald Sun
Mark Stevens | June 16, 2009
EXCLUSIVE: THE Western Bulldogs are at least a month from putting the stamp of approval on a new deal for coach Rodney Eade. Eade will present to key members of the club's football sub-committee before a final call is made.
Although it appears certain Eade will be rewarded with an extension of at least two years, the Bulldogs want to hear his blueprint for the future.
The Dogs are refusing to budge from their review process, despite Eade's team bullying its way into premiership contention in the past month.
A strong push among supporters and commentators to re-sign Eade turned into an avalanche after Saturday night's 93-point belting of Port Adelaide, but the club is in no hurry.
Despite being thrilled with the "now" - including the continued improvement of the playing list - Dogs officials also have an eye well beyond this season.
That means the club is determined to perform "due diligence" and search for any areas that can spark improvement.
It will not be dictated purely by the win-loss ratio. The club is adamant it wants to tick off on all "one-percenters" to ensure it can take the next step and claim a premiership.
The Dogs are two weeks into the review process, which is being driven by football manager James Fantasia.
Eade, out of contract at the end of the season, has a great record for a club that has struggled for coaching continuity and success.
Since replacing Peter Rohde for the 2005 season, Eade has a 55 per cent strike rate (58 wins, 45 losses and two draws).
He has led the club in five finals matches.
Of all Bulldogs coaches to have taken the helm in 50 or more games, only Bill Cubbins (1931-34) has a better win-loss record, 57 per cent.
Even the great Charlie Sutton, premiership captain-coach in 1954, had only a 50-50 record.
The Dogs are aware of outside pressure to re-sign Eade, but will not react to it, meaning an announcement could be deferred until as late as Round 16.
Eade, 51, is comfortable with the process and has continually stressed he wants to stay.
Then again, several other coaching vacancies are opening up and Eade would be in demand elsewhere if he became available.
Respected columnist Gerard Healy made it clear in the Herald Sun on Saturday that Eade was too valuable to be lost to another club.
Eade is one of seven coaches due to fall out of contract this year, with change coming at Richmond and possible at Collingwood, North Melbourne and Port Adelaide.
Before he signed with the Dogs, Collingwood tried to lure Eade as a key support to Mick Malthouse. The Pies were keen to tap into his tactical nous, which is still thriving despite the trend towards younger coaches.
Fantasia is chairman of the Bulldogs' football sub-committee. Football director Simon Garlick is also playing a key role.
Also on the sub-committee are Dogs chief executive Campbell Rose, president David Smorgon and board member George Pappas, an adviser with the Boston Consulting Group.
Waiting game on Rodney Eade deal at Western Bulldogs (http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/0,26576,25642123-19742,00.html)
The Herald Sun
Mark Stevens | June 16, 2009
EXCLUSIVE: THE Western Bulldogs are at least a month from putting the stamp of approval on a new deal for coach Rodney Eade. Eade will present to key members of the club's football sub-committee before a final call is made.
Although it appears certain Eade will be rewarded with an extension of at least two years, the Bulldogs want to hear his blueprint for the future.
The Dogs are refusing to budge from their review process, despite Eade's team bullying its way into premiership contention in the past month.
A strong push among supporters and commentators to re-sign Eade turned into an avalanche after Saturday night's 93-point belting of Port Adelaide, but the club is in no hurry.
Despite being thrilled with the "now" - including the continued improvement of the playing list - Dogs officials also have an eye well beyond this season.
That means the club is determined to perform "due diligence" and search for any areas that can spark improvement.
It will not be dictated purely by the win-loss ratio. The club is adamant it wants to tick off on all "one-percenters" to ensure it can take the next step and claim a premiership.
The Dogs are two weeks into the review process, which is being driven by football manager James Fantasia.
Eade, out of contract at the end of the season, has a great record for a club that has struggled for coaching continuity and success.
Since replacing Peter Rohde for the 2005 season, Eade has a 55 per cent strike rate (58 wins, 45 losses and two draws).
He has led the club in five finals matches.
Of all Bulldogs coaches to have taken the helm in 50 or more games, only Bill Cubbins (1931-34) has a better win-loss record, 57 per cent.
Even the great Charlie Sutton, premiership captain-coach in 1954, had only a 50-50 record.
The Dogs are aware of outside pressure to re-sign Eade, but will not react to it, meaning an announcement could be deferred until as late as Round 16.
Eade, 51, is comfortable with the process and has continually stressed he wants to stay.
Then again, several other coaching vacancies are opening up and Eade would be in demand elsewhere if he became available.
Respected columnist Gerard Healy made it clear in the Herald Sun on Saturday that Eade was too valuable to be lost to another club.
Eade is one of seven coaches due to fall out of contract this year, with change coming at Richmond and possible at Collingwood, North Melbourne and Port Adelaide.
Before he signed with the Dogs, Collingwood tried to lure Eade as a key support to Mick Malthouse. The Pies were keen to tap into his tactical nous, which is still thriving despite the trend towards younger coaches.
Fantasia is chairman of the Bulldogs' football sub-committee. Football director Simon Garlick is also playing a key role.
Also on the sub-committee are Dogs chief executive Campbell Rose, president David Smorgon and board member George Pappas, an adviser with the Boston Consulting Group.